ETLKIIHTY C3

Chapter 3

“…A friend?”

Roseline had spent most of her life practically confined, so her cautious question carried an unmistakable hint of anticipation.

“Yes. The youngest of the Reinz family you mentioned. I hear he’s quite handsome.”

Recalling his attendant’s exaggerated remarks, the Grand Duke stroked his beard thoughtfully.

Someday, my daughter will come to like another man more than her father.

It was still far off—but imagining that inevitable moment already made the doting father’s heart restless.

“You mustn’t come to like anyone more than this father of yours.”

“I won’t!”

“No matter how pretty-faced he is, you’re not to throw a tantrum about getting married just yet.”

“Father!”

Roseline, her face flushed red, pounded lightly against his arm.

Her tiny fists couldn’t possibly hurt, and the Grand Duke let out exaggerated groans mixed with laughter.

“So you won’t?”

“Of course not!”

Seeing his daughter answer immediately with a reddened face, the Grand Duke smiled in satisfaction and ruffled her golden, silken hair with his large, warm hand.

Roseline protested loudly, asking what he thought he was doing to a lady.

As she chattered about how she was all grown up now, her father simply lifted her up and carried her along.

In that moment, nestled quietly in his arms, Roseline felt as though she had the whole world—her view raised high, held securely in his embrace.

But nowhere in the adventure stories she had read was there anything like this terrifying scene.

She should have listened to her mother, who always said that the fantasies and romantic tales knights spoke of were of no real use in life.

On the day of departure, Miriam’s face—when she had told Roseline to reconsider and that she would give her one last chance—had been unusually serious, tinged with genuine concern.

So it was because this place was so dangerous… that’s why she told me not to go.

Or perhaps she should have listened to her uncles.

One by one, the faces of the knights she knew well came to mind.

Some of the more cautious knights had suggested that it might be better to bring the young lady along only after this mission was completed.

But the Grand Duke had refused, worried that his daughter’s delicate skin might once again be stained with blood.

Roseline herself, filled with excitement at the freedom she would soon gain, had begged to be taken along as soon as possible.

…How foolish of me.

Sir Peter, a knight of Devonshire, shouted angrily at the sluggish soldiers as he bounded up several steps of the inner fortress at a time. Rubbing his eyes irritated by ash, he cursed—then suddenly froze in place.

Devonshire, Miriam’s family, had come this far with a purpose.

“Halt! Stop!”

At the window of a remote building to the west, something glinted.

Squinting at what had caught his eye, the corners of his mouth slowly twisted upward.

The goddess of fortune truly favors me and my lord.

At that distant window, he had glimpsed the faint figure of the girl they had been searching for.

Though she disappeared behind the curtain almost immediately, he was certain of what he had seen.

The silhouette was far smaller than that of an adult—befitting a young noble lady not yet of age.

And a girl with such shining blonde hair is rare.

“She’s hidden quite far away. This way!”

His metallic shout rang out.

“Hold the line! No matter what happens, protect the young lady!”

The clash of swords. The sound of a knight falling—uncertain from which side.

The shouts of strangers, barked commands echoing chaotically.

“You heard him? Don’t injure the young lady. She’s valuable. Do not cripple her or damage her face.”

“Yes, sir!”

Hearing the foreign accents mixed into the noise, Roseline pricked up her ears.

The voices—some clearly her father’s knights, others rough and unfamiliar—could belong to her father’s enemies… or invaders from the foreign land of Kaldrov.

This mission had been supposed to end through negotiation.

Could it be that the Margrave of Reinz truly joined hands with Kaldrov and rebelled?

But her father had been certain that wasn’t the case.

Roseline forced herself to organize her chaotic thoughts.

Either way… if I become Father’s weakness, I may have to take my own life.

As the cherished daughter of a prestigious ducal house, Roseline had been trained in tactics and combat. While steadying her resolve, she heard voices from outside the window.

“Anyone who lays a hand on the young lady out of desire will lose their head.”

“What? Didn’t you say she’s just a child?”

“Even so. There are always twisted men everywhere.”

A disgusting, damp, sinister laughter followed.

How revolting.

Even without fully understanding their meaning, Roseline shuddered instinctively.

Though she couldn’t grasp everything happening, one thing was certain:

Whether ally or enemy, they all wanted to secure her safely as a hostage.

Even if it’s the enemy, it’s fine. As long as I survive, Father and my uncles will handle it. But if things go wrong…

It was a heavy thought for someone her age, but she had not been raised ordinarily—as the successor of a heroic lineage.

While the maid Cora trembled and pressed her ear to the door, trying to gauge the situation, Roseline searched the adjoining dressing room and found a usable blade.

Whether for threat or for suicide, she had to prepare for what might come.

As she steadied her heart while staring at the sharp dagger, a creaking sound came from the innermost part of the room.

Startled, she turned.

What entered her view was a boy—armed, drenched in blood, staggering.

Behind him, a stone wall—revealed as a hidden passage—stood open. Judging by the noise of soldiers beyond it, this must have been the final escape route.

“……”

“……”

The disguised stone door closed.

A suffocating silence fell between them.

Just as Roseline was about to scream, the boy’s eyes widened.

“…Wait.”

A thought flashed through her mind, and she frowned.

Making noise would be dangerous for her as well.

Looking closely, the boy seemed far too quiet—and too small—for someone who had come to kill her.

Her mind began to work quickly.

Even if she was just a child, no one would send someone this young to capture a noble lady.

And judging by how hurriedly he had closed the door he came through, he too was a fugitive—just like her.

Even so, she could not let her guard down.

“Who are you?” she asked cautiously.

The boy, who had nearly given up on life, lifted his bloodshot eyes and stared at the unreal-looking girl before him.

He blinked several times, wondering if he was hallucinating at death’s door—but her startled, frozen expression and the faint sound of her breathing proved she was no fairy or angel.

Exhausted, he let the sword he had been holding fall carelessly.

But Roseline did not lower her guard and carefully observed him.

Looking closely, the blade he held had not originally been short—it had been broken.

Though his face was delicate and youthful, he was about a handspan taller than Roseline, with a slender build.

She narrowed her eyes, searching her memory.

When the Grand Duke’s party had arrived at Reinz Castle, the entire family had come out to welcome them. She felt as though she had seen a similar face then.

Soon, realization struck, and Roseline’s eyes widened.

Back then, his appearance had been as sweet and charming as a sugar doll.

Now he looked completely different—filthy, with hardened eyes—but upon closer inspection, she recognized him.

He had stood at the very end of the Reinz family line during the welcome—easy to overlook—but Roseline had deliberately searched for someone her age after hearing her father mention him, so she remembered clearly.

It seemed he did not recognize her at all in his current state.

“You… you’re the youngest of Reinz, right?”

At her question, the boy’s slumped shoulders flinched.

“…Yes.”

“Something’s wrong. I’ll hide you. Let’s meet my father first.”

Though small in stature, her firm declaration carried the unmistakable authority of one raised as the heir to a ducal house.

But instead of relaxing, the boy clenched his teeth.

The blank look in his eyes sharpened coldly.

“I don’t know who your father is—but the soldiers out there killed my entire family. There’s no way they’d leave me alive.”